The sun has emitted multiple powerful X-class solar flares, including an X5.1, causing coronal mass ejections that are heading toward Earth, potentially triggering geomagnetic storms and visible auroras across parts of the US and Europe from Nov. 10 to Nov. 12.
The sun emitted two powerful X-class solar flares on Nov. 4, causing radio blackouts across the Americas and Pacific, with potential for geomagnetic storms and vibrant auroras later this week, as solar activity remains high and future eruptions are possible.
A surprise X-class solar flare erupted from sunspot region 3912 on December 8, causing shortwave radio blackouts over southern Africa. The flare, accompanied by a coronal mass ejection (CME), is expected to have only mild impacts on Earth. X-class flares are the most powerful solar flares, capable of disrupting satellites and causing radio blackouts due to the intense release of electromagnetic radiation.
The hyperactive sunspot region AR3664 has unleashed two powerful X-class solar flares within 12 hours, causing radio blackouts across parts of the Earth. These flares, categorized as X1.18 and X1.43, resulted from magnetic reconnection in the sunspot's complex core. The flares impacted the Western U.S., Pacific, Europe, Africa, and Asia, disrupting shortwave radio communications.